Clothes-washing machine with diaphragm squeezer extractor



Oct. 7, 1952 G. P. CASTNER CLOTHES-WASHING MACHINE WITH DIAPHRAGMSQUEEZER EXTRACTOR 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed NOV. 1} 1949 FIG. 4

253| 4 6 2 07 l. 9 7 747mm 6 w H 4 w H 8 8 2 O 3 H 2 M .Il w n X 4 4 7 86 l w 5 8 5 V 5 I. 3 rl: 6 .6 m n 8 6 6 6 |1 3 I 5 5 5 I w 6 5 4 6 n 2 2l 4 2 v 3 5 2 9 2 4 2 3 5 v 2 o @i so.. 1 o biit o m m w 5 l. 8 W n R 6H 3 i a O m 2 w m F J \mhiy 7 O l 9 6 B n In \I 9 I B 9 l 4 8 7 n 5 2 S.9 5 2 6 L M m m 9 3 w W 4 M M 9 M wmww IN VEN TOR.

N I T 5 Y H A Oct. 7, 1952 e. P. CASTNER 2,612,768

. WASHING MACHINE TH CLOTHES- DIAPHRAGM SQUEEZER EXTR OR 5 Sheets-Sheet5 Filed Nov. 1, 1949- FIG. 7

BAG SW.

'WASH sw. A I EXPAND H Q CONTRACT aigjfl 61"); m lf L a c T 22 N123 o ll g 84 as 3 82 M g f INVENTOR GEORGE P. CASTNER ATTYS.

Patented Oct. 7, 1952 UNITED s'r 'rss ATENT OFFICE CLOTHES-WASHINGMACHINE WITH' DIAPHRAGM SQUEEZER' EXTRACTOR George P. Castner, WebsterCity, Iowa Application November 1, 1949, Serial No. 124,869 I scams.(01. 68-21) The present invention relates to clothes washing machines,and more particularly to improved clothes washing machines of thecharacter of that disclosed in the oopending application of George P.Castner, Serial No. 110,570, filed August 16, 1949, and now abandoned.

Fundamentally the clothes washing machine disclosed in theCastner-application mentioned comprises an upstanding tubular housingformed of sheet metal, a top wall supported in the upper end of thehousing,'and a tub arranged in the upper portion ofthe housing andsecured directly to the top wall, the top wall and the tub havingregistering top openings respectively formed thereinto accommodateplacement and removal of," the clothes with respect to the tub. Also,the machine comprises washing mechanism including a substantiallydisk-like dasher arranged in an upstanding position inthe tub adjacentto a side wall thereof and mounted for operation directly on the sidewall. Anelectric drive motor is arranged below-the tub and is supporteddirectly thereby, and a drive connection is provided between the motorand the dasher. Further, a cover is mounted on the topwall for movementsbetween open and closed positions with respect to the top openingsmentioned. Finally a hand operated wring-er is mountedon the undersideof the cover and is movable therewith through the registering topopenings between operative and storage positions, the wringer beingdisposed above the top wallin its operative position when the coveroccupies. its open position, and being disposed within the tub in itsstorage position when the cover occupies its closed position. I Whilethis machine is highlysatisfactory in a the clothes washin machineandofthe elements of the control system therefor, whereby the above operatingfeatures thereof operation and economical to manufacture, the

necessary handling of the clothes and themanual operationv of thewringer are somewhat incon venient.

Accordingly; it is a general object of the present invention, to providea clothes washing machine of the character described that incorporatesan improved power operated water extracting. mechanism, whereby, after awashing operation has been performed upon the, clothes in the tub, awater extracting operation may be performed upon the clothes in the tub,all without handling .of the clothes, and entirely by the power operatedwashing and water extracting mechanisms.

1 Another object ofthe' invention is to provide in .a clotheswashing-machine, an improved water extracing mechanism of'the squeezetype that cooperates with, a wallof, thetub to express the waterfrom-the clothes contained in the -tub,

Another" object of the inventionis to provide in a clothes washingmachine, awater-extracting mechanism of the squeeze type that is ofimproved construction and arrangement so that theoperationthereof to.express the water from the clothes is substantially independent of theload of the clothes contained in thetub.

Afurther object of the invention is'to provide ina clothes Washingmachine includingwashing mechanism and water extracting mechanism of thesqueeze type, an improved control arrangement for the mechanismsthatis-so organized that simultaneous operations, thereof are. pre--vented in order positively to eliminate the possibility of damage totheclothes by operation of the washing mechanism during operation .ofthwater extracting mechanism. I

A further objectof the inyentionisto. provide in a clothes washingmachine, a tuband squeeze bagiof improved construction and arrangementthat accommodate extraction of water from clothes in the tub after theyhave been washed t er Further features of the. invention: pertain-to theparticular arrangement er. the elements of outlined and additional areattained.

The invention, both as to its organization -principle of operation',together, with. further objects and advantages thereof, will best beunderstood by reference to thefollowing specification taken inconnection; with the accompanying drawings, inwhich Figure 1- is a p1anviewofa clothes washing machine embodying the present invention; Fig. 2is afsideelevational view of themachineshown in Fig. '1; Fig. 3 is afront elevational view ofthe machine shown in Figs. 1 and 2;Fig.

lfis an enlarged vertical-sectional view of the machine, takentransversely of the tub in the direction of the arrows along the line A-I-" in Fig: 3; 5 is an enlarged 'fragmentary vertical sectional viewofthe upper-portion of the machine, taken transversely of the tubeinkthe direction of 'thearrows along the line ii -4 in Fig. 4; Fig. 6is. an-electrical diagram of the circuit control network for the machineshown" in Figs. l to 5,. inclusive; and Fig. 7- is an"enlarg"edfragmentaryvertical;sectionalfview of the upper rear portion of amodifiedlformoffthe clothes a washingmachine embodying; the presentinvention, this'view being taken: longitudinally o' f;;;the

tub and corresponding to Fig; 4 andgillustlfflting an alternativeconstructiona -and arrangen'iengt of disclosed in the previouslymentioned Castner application and embodying the features of the presentinvention. The machine It! comprises an upstanding base carrying on theupper portion thereof an upstanding tub I2. The base comprises front andrear walls I 3 and I4, side walls I 5 and I6 and a bottom wall IT. Thebottom wall I! has an enlarged centrally disposed opening |8 formedtherein, and is provided adjacent to the corners thereof with downwardlydepressed feet l9 adapted to engage a supporting floor, or the like.The'top of the base H is open in order that the upper portion thereofmay receive and enclose the lower portion of the tub |2 carried therebyas explained more fully hereinafter. The tub [2 comprises cooperatingfront and rear cup-shaped sections 20 and 2| secured together in facingliquid-tight relation by cooperating inner and outer rings or bands 22and 23 secured together by a series of screws 24. The front section 26comprises an upstanding front wall 25 and a connected rearwardlydirected tubular side wall 26; while the rear section 2| comprises anupstanding rear wall 21 and a connected forwardly directed tubular sidewall 28. The tubular side wall 26 comprises a laterally extendingsubstantially flat forwardly and downwardly sloping top wall 29, twodownwardly directed side walls'30 and 3| and an arcuate bottom wall 32;while the tubular side wall 28 comprises a laterally extendingsubstantially flat horizontal top wall 33, two downwardly directed sidewalls 34 and 35 and an arcuate bottom wall 36. Accordingly, the rearedges or ends of the walls 29, 30, 3| and 32 of the front section 20 andthe front edges or ends of the walls 33, 34, 35 and 36 of the rearsection 2| are secured together in liquidtight relation by the rings 22and 23.

The bottom walls 32 and 36 respectively carry two laterally extendingand longitudinally spaced-apart brackets 31 and 38 that may be securedthereto by welding, or the like, which brackets 31 and 38 are suitablysecured to a longitudinally extending supporting plate 39 arranged belowthe tub l2. The opposite ends of the supporting plate 39 are .carriedupon two laterally extending substantially L-shaped members 40 and 4|respectively secured to the front wall l3 and to the rear wall I 4 bytwo series of screws 42 and 43. The members 46 and 4| are arrangedwithin the base II and receive the opposite ends of the supporting plate.21; and similarly the upper edges of the side walls l5 and H; areinwardly curved and folded back upon themselves as indicated at 41 and.46 in order to engage the opposite sides of the bottom walls 32 and 36.

A substantially laterally extending rectangular opening 49 is formedsubstantially centrally in the top wall 29 of the front section 20 inorder to render the interior of the tub l2 accessible from the exterior.The opening 49 is surrounded by an inwardly directed marginal throat 50and is provided with a door 5| movable between open and closed positionswith respect thereto. The door 5| includes inner and outer sheets 52 and53 suitably secured together and mounted upon 7 two laterallyspaced-apart hinge mechanisms 54 of any suitable type. Also, the door 5|comprises latch mechanism indicated generally at 55 and comprising arotatably mounted handle 56 that controls the sliding movements of twoassociated latch elements 51 that cooperate with the throat in ordersecurely to latch the door 5| in its closed position. It will beunderstood that the door 5| is normally latched in its closed positionand that it is necessary first to rotate the handle in order to releasethe latch mechanism 55 before the door 5| may be moved from its closedposition into its open position. Subsequently, when the door 5| is movedfrom its open position back into its closed position the latch mechanism55 operates automatically to latch the door 5| in its closed position.

Arranged within the tub I2 is an upstanding flexible substantiallycup-shaped diaphragm 58 formed of rubber, or the like, and includingwhat may be termed an end wall 59 and a flange wall 69, the marginaledge or perimeter of the flange wall 60 being clamped between the rings22 and 23. The diaphragm 58 has a normal concave position in which itconforms substantiallyto the interior surface of the rear section 2| ofthe tub I2. In its concave position the diaphragm 58 cooperates with thefront section 20 to define a compartment 6| within the tub I2, andcooperates with the rear section 2| to define a chamber 62' within thetub I2, the compartment 9| and the chamber 62 being separated from eachother by the diaphragm 58. The compartment 6| is accessible from theexteriorthrough the opening 49 when the door 5| occupies its openposition and is adapted to receive wash liquid and clothes to be washed.

Also arranged within the compartment 6| adjacent to and rearwardly ofthe front wall 25 is an upstanding perforated wall Or plate 63, theconfiguration of the plate 63 conforming substantially to that of thefront wall 25. The plate 63 may be formed of one-piece die castconstruction or pressed directly from a fairly heavy gauge of stainlesssteel, or the like, the plate 63 being perforated by the provision of anumber of holes 64 therein. Further, the position of the plate 63 spacedrearwardly with respect to the front wall 25 is maintained by a seriesof spaced-apart stanchions 65 disposed therebetween, the front ends ofthe stanchions 65 being suitably secured to the adjacent face of thefront wall 25 and the rear ends of the stanchions 65 being suitablysecuredin aligned openings provided in the plate 63. Accordingly, theupstanding front wall 25 and the upstanding plate 63 define anupstanding space 66 therebetween, with which space 66 a downwardlyextending drain connection 61 formed in the bottom wall 32 communicates.

A forwardly, directed substantially annular emboss 68 is formed in theupper central portion of the plate 63 in order to provide asubstantially circular recess 69 surrounded thereby, the centers of theemboss 68 and of the recess 69 being substantially coincident with eachother'and with thearc'ot the bottom walls 32 andi38iof'rtherespectivesections 20' and-2 Iv of the tub 121'- A disklike dasher plate19 is arranged within there- 'cess B9 and mounted .upon the rear end ofan operating shaft H that extends. through aligned openingsrespectivelyformed in the front wall 25 and in the plate 63. More particularly, theoperating shaft H issupported and journaled for rotation substantiallyalong the longitudinal axis of the tub: I 2in bearing structureincluding complementary sections I2v and 13'respectively disposedinteriorly and exteriorly of'the front wall 25 adjacent to, the center,of-thex-emboss 68, whereby the sections 12 and 13 provide a liquidti'ghtjoint surrounding the opening provided in the front wall 25 andpreventing the escape from the tub l2 of wash liquid alongtheoperatingshaft H. The front endof the operating shaft H carries a pulley M:rigidly secured thereto,

'15 beingsdisposed on oneiside of the center of rotation of thedasherplate l: and. the vanes 16 and 'l'lcbeing-disposed on the other.side of the center of rotation of the dasher plate 19 and in radialspaced-apart relation with respect to each other. The vanes I5, '16 andTI are removed from the center of rotation of the dasher plate andextendina crosswise to radial directionwith respect to the center ofrotation thereof, each of theyvanes. 15, T61 and Tibeing taperedandprovided withleading and trailing endswith respect tothesdirection ofrotation of the dasher plate lllso that the leading endiof each vane iscloser than the trailing end thereof to the front face of the dasherplate .70; For example, the leading Y endsrof the vanes l5, l6 and 11marked L may be 1111 theplane of the front'face of the dasher plate 19,while the trailing ends of 'thevanes marked T may be disposed outwardlytherefrom, the taper beingv continuous between the ends L and T; Also, ashallow recess I8 is provided in the frontfaceof the dasher plate 10between the vanes 16 and '11, this recess 18 assisting in'the release ofthe clothes from the frontface 10f: the dasher plate 10 as explainedmore. fully hereinafter. The central portion of the dasher plate H! isprovided with a forwardly directed boss 'lfi'having a hole 80 thereinthat receives the rear endof the operating shaft H- aspreviously noted.Also. a substantially annularrresilient element 8| formed of rubber, orthe like, issuitably secured upon the peripheral edge of'thedasher plate'19 in order to prevent working of the clothes contained in the tub I2be tween ,the dasher plate 10 and the plate 63 and theconsequent'breakage of buttons, or the like, carried uponthe clothes.

Arranged within the machinery space 44 provided in the. base H is anelectric motor 82 of any suitable type that is preferably operative byacommercial sourcezof 110 vo1ts'60 cycle A. C.

82 includes a rotor, not shown, provided with arr anism 84 and the frontend offthestub- 'shaft 86 having a pulley Bit-rigidly. secured thereto."The front end" of the stubj shaft i 86: extends through an opening 89formed in the front wall 13, wherebythe pulley 88. isdisposed.forwardly:of' the front wall l3 andbelow and. in alignment with the pulley M. Thepulleys Wand-8B are-ofthe Vl-belt type and are interconnected byzaV-belt drive connection 90. The pulleysv 14" and 88 and the V-belt Snareenclosed; in ahood 9| :removably secured to the front walls= and I by anarrangement including a plurality of screws :92. The screws 92 extendthrough openings provided in the hood. 9!, the inner e'ndsof? thescrewsk92 being threaded in tappedholes-provided' in certain of thestanchions'65. Also, two aligned stub shafts'93 and 94 ar'earrangedwithin the machinery space; the front end*of the stub shaft'93terminating'in the clutch mechanism 8'5iand the-rear endsofthe stubshaft 94 being suitably journaled in atbearing-hanger 95; that iscarried by the supporting-plate 39. The adjacent ends of the stub shafts93 and!!! arezoperatively. connected to the component elements of afluid drive or coupling mech'anism 96.

For example, the rear end of'the stub shaft 93 may be connected tothebladed element of the mechanism 96 and the front end of the-stub shaft 93 may be connected to the cas'ing, indicated at 97, of the mechanism 96,the casing 91 containing -ments I02 and H93 permittingconnectipn-there-' of'to exterior plumbing, not'shownz The inletoperatingrshaft 83 that projects-from theopposite:endlbellsthereofythefront and'rear ends-of and also suitablycarried by the a supportingconduit lllflis normally connected vi'a the 'coupling element l 02 and asuitable section of'rubber hose, not shown, to a water tap provided .inthe laundry room; and the outlet conduit ml is normally connectedviathje coupling element llw and a suitablesection of rubber, hose,not'shown, jto

- a laundry tray; or other drain plumbingzin' the laundry room. Thedrainupump 98 isprovided with an inlet connection H14 that is connectedby a suitable sectionofifiexible hose I05 formed of rubber; or thejlike,to a solenoid controlled drain valve, VI, that-is connected to thedrainconnectiontl. Also, the drain pump 98 1spro-' vided with an outletconnection Hi6 thatisconnected-directly to the outlet conduit-JIM. Thecompression pump 99. is providedwith; an .inlet connection l (ll that isconnected directly Qto a substantially T-shaped section of conduit ,108', and angoutlet connection 1 t9 thatis,connecte'drdirectly to asubstantially. T shaped section of conduit H 0. The conduit 8191sconnected via a solenoid-controlled lalve-VZ .to a substantiallyT-rshapedQsection of; conduit 1 I the. inlet conduit to isxccnnested tothe conduit I08 by asoIenQid-controlled-valve V3 the conduit 1 U8isfconnected to the conduit l l 'l-gby, a solenoid-controlled valvevfliand the outlet-conduit ml. isfconnectedtcth conduit I I'll by asolenoid-controlled; valy' v5,

Further, a fixture I I2' secured'within a de- 6 plate 39 Also, a stub:shaft 8Giiisasuitab'ly zj'ournaledin a bearing hanger 81:, thatisa1so=fcarried by-the-supporting plate 39; therear end'iofithe stub shaft86' 'terminating in thea-clutch mech- -pression H3 formed in the lowerportion of the bottom wall 36 and communicates between the chamber 62and the conduit III. Finally, a pressure-controlled limit switch LS alsocommunicates with the conduit I I I. In the machine I the base II may beformed of sheet steel and of wrap-around construction;

and likewise the hood 9| may be formed of sheet steel and of die-pressedconstruction. Preferably, the sections and 2I of the tub I2, as well asthe component elements of the door 5|, are formed of corrosion resistantmaterial, such, for example, as stainless steel. Finally, the base IIand the hood BI may be provided with an exterior finish of white enamel,or the like. The machine I0 is readily portable, and as a constructionalexample the tub I2 may have substan-- tially the following dimensions.The distance between the rear wall 21 and the center of the ring 22 maybe '7 inches; the distance between the center of the ring 22 and thefront wall 25 may be 8 inches; and the plate 63 may be spaced 1 inchrearwardly of the front wall 25. Th arc of the bottom walls 32 and 36may be on a 9" radius, whereby the side walls 3I and 34-35 are spacedfrom each other 18 inches. Further,

, the side walls 34 and 35 may extend upwardly 11 inches above thecenter line of the operating shaft II to join the horizontal top wall33; while the side walls 30 and 3| extend upwardly suitably above thecenter line of the operating shaft II to join the forwardly slopin topwall 29. Finally, the front portion of the top wall 29 may be disposed 1inches below the rear portion thereof to provide the forward slopenoted.

For the purpose of controlling the washing mechanism, including thedasher plate I0, an electric control switch I20 of the manually operabletwo-position type is mounted within the upper left-hand side of the hoodSI, the switch I20 being provided with a manually operable handle thatis restrained in either one of its two operating positions when operatedthereto. For the purpose of controlling the water extracting mechanism,including the diaphragm 58, an electric control switch I2I of themanually operable three-position type is mounted within the upperright-hand side of the hood 9|, the switch I 2i being provided with amanually operable handle that is restrained in anyone of its threeoperating positions when operated thereto. The connection andarrangement of the electric control network of the various elements ofthe machine I0 will best be understood by reference to Fig. 6, whereinthere are illustrated diagrammatically the elements mentioned. In thecircuit network a commercial 60 cycle 110 volts A. C. source isemployed, one conductor thereof being grounded in the machine I0 andindicated by the sign and .the other conductor thereof being ungroundedin the machine I0 and indicated by the sign The motor 82 may be of anysuitable type, as previously noted; the solenoids of the clutches 84 and85 are respectively indicated at 84"and 85'; the solenoids of the valvesVI, V2, V3, V4 and V5 are respectively indicated at SVI, SVZ, SV3, SV4and 8V5; and the limit switch of the pressure-controlled type isindicated at LS. The wash control switch I20 comprises six individualsprings providing individual contacts I to 4, inclusive; and thediaphragm or bag control switch IZI comprises seven individual springsproviding I0 and assuming that the user wishes to washa given load ofclothes, she first seizes the handle 56 and rotates it in order tounlatch the door 5|, whereby the door 5I is then moved to its openposition. The user then places the clothes within the compartment 6|through the opening 49, fills the tub I2 with hot or warm water orliquid as required by the character of the fabrics to be washed, andthen places an appropriate amount of detergent in the wash watercontained in the tub !2. Normally, the wash water is placed in the tubI2 so that the head thereof rises somewhat above the upper portion ofthe annular emboss 68 completely submerging the dasher plate I0, thenormal water level in the tub I2 being indicated by the broken line I30.At this time the door 5| is returned to its closed position by the user,whereby it is automatically latched securely in place by the latchmechanism 55. The wash switch I20 is then operated from its off positioninto its on position, whereby there is completed, at the contacts 2thereof, a circuit for operating the motor 82'; and there is completed,at the contacts 3 thereof, a circuit, including the contacts of thelimit switch LS, for energizing the solenoid 84 of the clutch mechanism84. Also, at the contacts I and 4 of the wash switch I25], there areinterrupted points in connections extending to the bag switch I2I,thereby positively to render the bag switch I2I inoperative to bringabout control operations while the wash switch I20 comprises its onposition. When the motor 82 is thus energized it operates, whereby theoperating shaft 83 thereof is rotated in the counterclockwise direction,as viewed from the front of the machine I0. When the solenoid 84 of theclutch mechanism 84 is thus energized the clutch plates, not shown,thereof are moved into clutched position, whereby the stub shaft 86 isrotated by the operating shaft 83 in the counterclockwise direction. Therotating stub shaft 86 effects rotation of the associated pulley 88,whereby the pulley .M is rotated through the V- belt 90 bringing aboutrotation of the operating shaft H and the dasher plate I0 in thecounterclockwise direction, as viewed from the front of the machine It).When the dasher plate I0 is thus rotated inv the counterclockwisedirection it moves and rearranges the clothes contained in thecompartment 6| formed in the tub I2 in a substantially circularupstanding path. Specifically, the dasher plate Hi lightly grasps theclothes as it is rotated unidirectionally in the clockwise direction, asviewed in Fig. 5, by an angular shearing contact therewith and thenquickly discharges the clothes in order that they are moved andrearranged in the substantially circular upstanding path as previouslynoted. This angular shearing contact with which the clothes are lightlygrasped is effected largely by the disposition of the shallow taperedvanes I5, it and 11 provided upon the front face of the dasher plate l0;while this quick discharge of the clothes from the front face of thedasher plate to is materially facilitated by the shallow recess 78disposed in the front face thereof and D051- tioned between the vanes I6and 11.

After the clothes havebeen washed by the machine ID the user operatesthe wash switch I 20 from its on position back into its off" position inorder to interrupt, at the contacts 2 thereof, thecircuit for operatingthe motor 82, and to interrupt, at the contacts 3 thereof, the circuitfor energizing the solenoid 84' of the clutch mechanism 84. Also, whenthe wash switch I 20 is returned to its off position, there isrepreparedyatthe contacts I and 4 thereof, the connections extendingbetween'the wash switch I29 and the bag switch I2I, whereby. the bagswitch I-2I is again rendered operative to perform its controls. Whenthe motor 82 is thus'de-energized, operation thereof is arrested; andwhen the 'solenoid B l is thus de-energized the clutch plates, notshown, of the clutch mechanism 89 are operated into their declutchedposition. Accordingly, rotation of the rotor of the motor 82 is arrestedand the drive connection between the operating shaft 83 and the stubshaft 86 is declutched by the clutch mechanism '84 in order to preventfurther rotation of the dasherplate I9 .unidirectionallyiin thecounterclockwise;direction, asiviewed fromthe front of the machine I 9.

.At'this'time the clothes contained in thecompartment SI formed in the"tub I2 :have :been washed, andinorder'to cause the. machine I9 toextract thewash liquidtherefrom,the user, merely operates thebag'switch. I2I from its holdiposi-r tion intoits expand position. Whenthe bag switch I2I is thus operated into its .expand position, there iscompleted, at 'the'contacts 4' thereof,a circuit for operatingthemotorx82, this circuit including the contacts I "of :the wash switchI29,lthe conductorI22, the conductor I23 and the contacts 4 of the washswitch I29. v.Also, when'the bag switch I2Izis thus operated, into itsexpandipositionthere'iscompleted, atzthe contacts'5" thereof, a circuitfor energizingthe solenoids SVI,.'SV2 and,SV3, this circuit includingtheicontacts I ofthewashswitchIZIl, .theconductor I22 and the contacts4' .of .theibagiswitch I2I. .'Finally,'when the :bagswitoh 'I2I isthuswhereby theoperating shaft 83 rotates'the stub,

shaft .93 in the counterclockwise direction, as viewed from the front ofthemachine I9. The valves VI to V5, inclusive, arewnormally biased intoclosed positions, .and when the respective solenoids SVI, SV2 and SV3 ofthe valves VI, V2 and V3 are thus energized, these valves arerespectivelyoperatedinto their openpositions. At this time the rotatingstub shaft 93 effects rotation of the rotor of'the drain pump 98 andthedrain valve VI occupies its open position, where'- by the wash liquidcontained in the tub I2 is drained therefrom through the drainconnection 61, the drain valve VI and the hose I95 into the inletconnection IIMof the'drainpump' 98. The operating drain pump 98discharges the wash liquidthrough the outlet connection I06 and theoutlet conduit IIII to the exterior. Accordingly, the wash liquidcontained in the compartment GIformedin the tub I2 is drained therefromand is discharged .by thedrain pump 98 to the exterior. p

Also, at thistime the rotatingstub shaft '93 drives-the stub shaft 94throughxthe fluid drive or coupling-mechanism 96, which mechanism'96accommodatesslippage between the stub shafts 93 and 94 for a purposemore fully explained hereinafter. Accordingly, the rotor of thecompressionzpump 991s rotatedin'the counterclockwise direction, as.viewedfrom the front .of the mapression' pump 99. The liquid isdischarged from chine I9, causing liquid to be supplied via the,inlet-conduit I99, the open valve V3 and the conduit I08 into the inletconnection I01 of the comthe compression pump 99 through'the outletconnection I09, the conduit 9, the open'valve V2,

the conduit II I and the fixture II2 into the chamber 62. Thus liquidunder pressure is supplied into the chamber 62 between the rearsecdiaphragm 58 substantially conforms to the in- 7 nor surface of thefront section'29 of the tub I2 pressing against the inner sheet 52 ofthe door BI and exerting a squeezing action upon the clothes containedin the compartment 6|. More particularly, the clothes contained in thecompartment 6I are squeezed between the diaphragm, 58 and the plate 63and the dasherplate 10, whereby the absorbed wash liquid is expressedtherefrom into the space 66 and falls into the drain connection 61 sothat it may be removedito the exterior by the drain pump 98. When apredetermined pressure is exerted upon the dia-, phragm 58 by the liquidunder pressure in the chamber 62, the load upon the compression pump 99is increased to such an extent'that the :fluid drive or couplingmechanism 96 causes consid- Q erable slippage between the stub shafts 93and 94. This arrangement limits the pressure that "the compression pump99 may exert upon the liquid in the chamber 62 and consequently thesqueez ing action that may be exerted by thediaphragm 58 upon theclothes in the compartment 6| of the tub I2. At this time the door 5| isrestrained in its closed position by the associated latch-mechanism 55and notwithstanding the pressure exerted thereupon by the diaphragm 58.Also, at this time, the pressure of the liquid in'the con-a duit IIIeifects movement of 'the pressure :re-'. sponsive limit switch LS intoits open position, whereby there is interrupted a further point in thecircuit for energizing the solenoid 84' of the clutch mechanism 84 inorder positively to prevent operation of the .clutch mechanism 84 into'its clutched position and the consequent'rotation of the dasherplate- I9at this time. This ar-. rangement is very advantageous as it positivevly prevents operation of the ,dasher plate I9 should the wash switch I29be inadvertently operated from its off into its on position at this timewhile liquid under pressure is contained .inithe' chamber-62 and theclothes in the compartment 6| are undergoing the squeezingaction'abovede-' contacts 5' thereof,,thepreviously traced multiple circuits forenergizing'the solenoids -SVI, SV2 and .SV3; and there :isinterrupted,-'atthe contact 6 thereof, the circuit for energizing thesolenoids 85 of the clutch mechanism 85. Thus, atthistime, operation ofthe motor 82 is arrested,

and the clutch plates, not shown, of the clutch mechanism 85 arereturned to their declutched position in order to prevent furtherrotation of the stub shafts 93 and 94 by the operating shaft 83.Further, when the solenoids SVI, SV2 and SV3, are thus de-energized therespective valves VI, V2 and V3 are returned to their closed positions.At this time, the pressure that is exerted by the diaphragm 58 upon theclothes in the compartment 5I may be held for any suitable length oftime merely by retaining the bag switch I2I in its hold position, sincethe liquid under pressure contained in the chamber 62 is trapped thereinas a consequence of the closed positions of the valves V2 and V4.

At any time after the water extracting operation has been performed inthe machine I the user may relieve the pressure upon the clothescontained in the compartment 0| by operating the bag switch I2I from itshold position into its contract position. When the bag switch I2I isthus operated, there is completed, at the contacts 3' thereof, a circuitsubstantially identical to that previously traced for operating themotor 82; there is completed, at the contacts 2 thereof, a circuitsimilar to that previously traced for energizing the solenoids SV4 andSV5; and there is completed, at the contacts I thereof, a circuitsubstantially identical to that previously traced for energizing thesolenoid 85'. Thus, operation of the motor 82 is again initiated, andthe clutch mechanism 85 is operated into its clutched position effectingrotation of the stub shafts 93. and

94 in the counterclockwise direction, as viewed from the front of themachine I0. Again the drain pump 98 removes to the exterior any smallamount of wash liquid that may have accumulated in the hose I05; andagain the compression pump 99 is operated. Specifically, the compressionpump 99 draws the liquid contained in the chamber 62 through the fixtureI I2, the conduit III, the open valve V4 and the conduit I08 into theinlet fixture I01 and then discharges the liquid therefrom through theoutlet fixture I09 and the open valve V5 into the outlet conduit IOI andthence to the exterior. At this time, the valves V4 and V5 occupy theiropen positions as a consequence of the energization of the respectivesolenoids 5V4 and SV5. Accordingly, as the liquid in the chamber 62formed in the tub I2 is discharged to the exterior the diaphragm 58 ismoved from its convex position back into its concave position, airentering the compartment GI, as the diaphragm 58 is thus moved, throughthe opening 49, since the door 5I in its closed position is not sealedin gas-tight relation with the openin 49. When the diaphragm 58 iscompletely returned to its normal concave position all of the liquid inthe chamber 62 has been withdrawn therefrom and the pressure in theconduit III is relieved, whereby the pressure responsive limit switch LSis again operated to close the associated contacts included in thepreviously traced circuit for energizing the solenoid 84' of the clutchmechanism 04 in order again to render operative the wash switch I20 tocontrol the operation of the dasher plate I 0.

At this time, thebag switch I 2| may be returned from its contractposition into its hold position. When the bag switch I2I is thusoperated back into its hold position, there is interrupted, at thecontacts 3' thereof, the circuit for operating the motor 82; there isinterrupted, at the contacts 2' thereof, the multiple circuits forenergizing the solenoids SV4 and SV5; and there is interrupted, at thecontacts I' thereof, the circuit for energizing the solenoid At thistime, operation of the motor 82 is arrested, and the clutch mechansim 85is returned into its declutched position. Also, the valves V4 and V5 arerespectively returned to their closed positions.

In view of the foregoing, it will be understood that the circuitinterlock arrangement, including the limit switch LS, positivelyprevents operation of the dasher plate 10 when the clothes in thecompartment 8| in the tub I2 are under compression between the diaphragm58 and the plate 63 and the dasher 10, thereby positively preventing anypossible damage to the clothes in the event of inadvertent operation ofthe wash switch I20 from its "off position into its on" position at thistime. Moreover, the interlock connections, including the conductors I22and I23, between the wash switch I20 and the bag switch I2I positivelyprevent expansion or contraction of the diaphragm 58 as a result ofinadvertent operation of the bag switch I2I while the wash switch I20occupies its on position.

After the wash liquid has thus been extracted from the clothes, arinsing operation may be obtained by the user after opening the door SIand the introduction of rinse water or liquid into the compartment 6|.Specifically, at this time, the user repeats the Wash operation, withoutthe addition of detergent, for any suitable length of time; and thenrepeats the liquid extracting operation in order to insure that all ofthe rinse liquid is expressed from the clothes contained in thecompartment GI. Thereafter the diaphragm 58 is again returned itsconcave position; and at this time the door 5| may be moved into itsopen position and the clothes may be removed from the compartment BIthrough the opening 49 after the washing and rinsing operations havebeen performed as explained above.

In view of the foregoing it will be understood that in the machine I0,the tub I2, the supporting plate 39, and all of the operating elementscarried thereby, with the exception of the V-belt 90, comprise asubassembly that may be readily placed and removed with respect to theopen top of the base II. More specifically, the subassembly noted, iscompleted; and then the operating elements carried by the supportingplate 39 are inserted into the open top of the base II and lowered intoplace. When the tub I2 is lowered into its final position the oppositeends of the supporting plate 39 engage the flanges provided on thesubstantially L-shaped members 40 and M, the bearing hangers 81 and 95respectively projecting through aligned openings provided in therespective flanges of the members 40 and M. As the tub I2, thesupporting plate 39 and the elements carried by the supporting plate 39,are lowered into place in the base II, the pulley 88 is projectedthrough the opening 89 formed in the front wall I3 and the inlet andoutlet conduits I00 and IOI are projected through an opening |3I formedin the rear wall I4. At this time, the front end of the operating shaftII overhangs the upper edge of the front wall I3 and the front end ofthe stub shaft 86 projects through the opening 89 formed in the frontwall I3. Moreover, the pulleys 88 and 14 are disposed forwardly withrespect to the front wall I 3, whereby the V-belt 90 may then be placedupon the pulleys 14 and 88 forwardly of the front wall I3 withoutinterference therewith. Then the control wires extending to theoperating motor 82, the limit switch LS, the clutch solenoids 84' and85' andthe valve solenoids SVI to SVE, inclusive,

are extended through the opening 89 formedin the front wall l3 asrequired and are connected.

to the corresponding control wires arranged in the hood 9! and extendingto the switches i213 and I2 I. The control wires arranged in the hood 9|and extending to the switches I20 and I29 are suitably secured in placetherein in order to prevent them from contacting the V-belt 99. At

vided in the stanchions B5.

In view of the foregoing, it will be understoo that the hood 9! isreadily removable in order to permit adjustment of the V-belt 90 andaccess to the pulleys M and 88. Moreover, it will be appreciated thatafter the hood 9| has been 're-' moved the V-belt 9H may be removed andthe electrical wiring may be disconnected in order to permit completeremoval from the base II of the subassembly comprising the tub l2, thesupporting plate is and the operating elements mentioned that arecarried thereby. This arrangement is very advantageous as thesubassembly may be readily removed from the base H for purposes ofinspection and repair, if necessary.

A modified form of the diaphragm or bag 2613 that is incorporated in themachine 2), and embodying the features of the present invention, isillustrated in Fig. '7. Specifically, this modified form of the bag 26!]is of unitary double-wall molded construction including substantiallycupshaped inner and' outer walls 201 and'2il2 nor-' mally arrangedinconcave nested relation. The outer wall 202 is provided with aconfiguration substantially conforming to that of the inner surface ofthe rear section 221 of the tub H2; and the inner wall 2n! is arrangedin nested relation with the outer wall 292 as previously noted defininga chamber 282 therebetween. In this embodiment of the bag 200 themarginal edges of the walls 20! and 202 may be molded or vulcanizedtogether to provide a junction as indicated at 203, whereby the bag 29!]is of unitary construction. The material of the bag 2130 may be formedof rubber, or the like, and the marginal junction 2G3 thereof is clampedbetween the inner and outer rings 223 and 224 of the tub 2l2 in a mannersimilar to that previously described in conjunction with the diaphragm58 incorporated in the machine ID.

In this arrangement the fixture'ii 12 that com-' municates with theassociated conduit 3 that is carried by the bottom wall 228 communicatesdirectly with the chamber 262 formed between the walls 2M and 202.Moreover, in this arrangement the outer wall 2M may be cemented orotherwise directly secured to the adjacent inner surface of the rearsection '22! of the tub 2l2.

The operation of this modified form of the bag 268 is substantiallyidentical to that of the diaphragm 58 incorporated in the machine Illexcept that in this case the outer wall 202' is stationary andthe innerwall '20! is movable between a normal convave position and an .operatedconvex position, the liquid under pressure being supplied directly intothe chamber or void 262 formed between the walls 20l and 202 of the bag20!].

14 This embodiment of the bag 'ZDIJJhascertainadvantages in that theliquidis contained i entirely within the bag 200 rendering itunnecessary that I the rear section 221 of the tub 2l2 beef imperforateconstruction. section 22! of the tub 2l2 merely supports the outer wall282 of the bagiflli and formsno part of the liquid containing chamber262.

In view of the foregoing it is apparent that there has been provided aportable clothes washing machine that is especially suitable for use inapartments, or the like; which machine is of rugged and economicalconstruction and arrangement, and that embodies both'washing' and liquidextracting facilities, and is eflicient in op eration, and is ofattractive appearance and design.

While there'has been described what is at'present considered to be thepreferred embodiment of the invention, it will be understoodthat'va'rious modifications maybe made therein, and it is intended tocover in the appended claims all such modifications as fall within thetrue spirit and scope of the invention. What is claimed is: I

1. A clothes washing machine comprising a stationary tub including a.pair of opposed vertically disposed end walls and a horizontally.

disposed connecting .tubular side wall, avertically disposed flexiblediaphragm arranged in said tub and secured aboutthe perimeter thereof toan intermediate portion .of said side .wall,.said diaphragm beingmovable ina horizontal direction from a concave position disposedadjacent to one end of said side wall and one of .said endv walls to aconvex position disposedadjacent to the other end of said side wall and:the other of said end walls, saiddiaphragm. in its concave positioncooperating with said other end'of said side wall and said other endWall to define .:a compartment therebetween adapted to contain clothesand wash liquid, said other end ,ofsaid.

side wall having an opening formedv in the upper portion thereof abovethe levelofthe wash liquid contained in said compartment and Jrenderingsaid compartment accessible .fromthe exterior, a door mounted formovements between .open and closed positions with respect to said.openving, a vertically disposed substantially disk-like dasher arrangedin said compartment in asubmerged position with respect to the washliquid contained therein and adjacent to said other end wall and mountedthereon for rotation in order to produce a washing action upon theclothes in said compartment, means for draining wash liquid from saidcompartment during. movement of said diaphragm from its concave positioninto its convex position to produce a squeezing actionupon the clothesin said-compartment between said diaphragm and said dasher in order toexpress the wash liquid there-' from, and means for moving saiddiaphragm from its concave position into its convex posi tion.

2. A clothes washing machine comprising 'a stationary t'ub including apair'of opposed vertically disposed end walls and a horizontallydisposed connecting tubular side wall; avertically:

disposed flexible diaphragm arranged'in said 'tub and secured about theperimeter thereof to 'an intermediate portion of said sidewall,"saiddiaphragm being movable in a'horizontal direction from aconcave position disposed adjacentgto one end of said sidewall and oneof said-lend walls to a convex position-disposedadjacentfto;

In other word's,-:.the :rear

the other end of said side wall and the other of said end walls, saiddiaphragm in its concave position cooperating with said other end ofsaid side wall and said other end wall to define a compartmenttherebetween adapted to contain clothes and wash liquid, said other endof said side wall having an opening formed in the upper portion thereofabove the level of the wash liquid contained in said compartment andrendering said compartment accessible from the exterior, a door mountedfor movements between open and closed positions with respect to saidopening, a vertically disposed perforated wall arranged in saidcompartment adjacent to said other end wall and in spaced relation withrespect thereto, a vertically disposed substantially disk-like dasherarranged in said compartment in a submerged position with respect to thewash liquid contained therein and adjacent to said perforated wall andmounted upon said other end wall for rotation in order to produce awashing action upon the clothes in said compartment, means for drainingwash liquid from said compartment during movement of said diaphragm fromits concave position into its convex position to produce a squeezingaction upon the clothes in said compartment between said diaphragm andsaid perforated wall and said dasher in order to express the wash liquidfrom the clothes, and means for moving said diaphragm from its concaveposition into its convex position.

3. A clothes washing machine comprising a stationary tub including frontand rear substantially cup-shaped sections disposed in facing relationand respectively providing front and rear vertically disposed end wallsand horizontally disposed connecting front and rear side walls, saidfront and rear end walls being arranged in opposed relation and the endsof said front and rear side walls being arranged adjacent to each other,a vertically disposed flexible diaphragm arranged in said tub, theperimeter of said diaphragm being disposed adjacent to the ends of saidfront and rear side walls, a vertically disposed ring arranged in saidtub adjacent to the ends of said front and rearv side walls, meansincluding said ring for joining the ends of said front and rear sidewalls together in liquid-tight relation and for clamping the perimeterof said diaphragm to the joint between the ends of said front and rearside walls in fluid-tight relation, said diaphragm being movable in ahorizontal direction from a concave position disposed adjacent to saidrear side wall and said rear end wall to a convex position disposedadjacent to said front side wall and said front end wall, said diaphragmin its concave position cooperating with said front side wall and saidfront end wall to define a compartment therebetween adapted to containclothes and wash liquid, said front side wall having an opening formedin the upper portion thereof above the level of the wash liquidcontained in said compartment and rendering said compartment accessiblefrom the exterior, a door mounted for movements between open and closedpositions with respect to said opening, a vertically disposedsubstantially disk-like dasher arranged in said compartment in asubmerged position with respect to the wash liquid contained therein andadjacent to said front end wall and mounted thereon for rotation inorder to produce a washing action upon the clothes in said compartment,means for draining wash liquid from said compartment during movement ofsaid diaphragm from its concave position into its convex position toproduce a squeezing action upon the clothes in said compartment betweensaid diaphragm and said dasher in order to express the wash liquidtherefrom, said diaphragm in its concave position cooperating with saidrear side wall and said rear end wall to define a chamber therebetweenadapted to receive a fluid under pressure in order to move saiddiaphragm from its concave position into its convex position, and meansfor supplying fluid under pressure into said chamber.

4. A clothes washing machine comprising a stationary tub including apair of opposed vertically disposed end walls and a horizontallydisposed connecting tubular side wall, a vertically diposed hollow bagarranged in said tub and including an outer wall supported by one end ofsaid side wall and one of said end walls and a flexible inner wall ordiaphragm movable in a horizontal direction between concave and convexpositions with respect to said outer wall, said diaphragm in its concaveposition cooperating with said other end of said side wall and saidother end wall to define a compartment therebetween adapted to containclothes and wash liquid, said other end of said side wall having anopening formed in the upper portion thereof above the level of the washliquid contained in said compartment and rendering said compartmentaccessible from the exterior, a door mounted for movements between openand closed positions with respect to said opening, a vertically disposedsubstantially disk-like dasher arranged in said compartment in asubmerged position with respect to the wash liquid contained therein andadjacent to said other end wall and mounted thereon for rotation inorder to produce a washing action upon the clothes in said compartment,means for draining wash liquid from said compartment during movement ofsaid diaphragm from its concave position into its convex position toproduce a squeezing action upon the clothes between said diaphragm andsaid dasher in said compartment in order to express the wash liquidtherefrom, and a fitting communicating with the interior of said bag toaccommodate the supply of a fluid under pressure thereinto in order tomove said diaphragm from its concave position into its convex position.

5. The clothes washing machine set forth in claim 4, wherein said hollowbag is of unitary molded construction and formed of rubber, or the like.

GEORGE P. CAS'INER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,547,266 Robe July 28, 19251,849,283 Crane Mar. 15, 1932 2,017,802 Hume Oct. 15, 1935 2,187,770Chamberlin et al. Jan. 23, 1940 2,372,753 Watson .Apr. 3, 1945 2,417,998Wales Mar. 25, 1947 2,455,043 Calhoun Nov. 30, 1948 2,472,682 Rand June7, 1949 2,478,188 Gibson Aug, 9, 1949 2,542,528 Horvath Feb. 20, 1951 vFOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 648,293 Germany July 28, 1937

